Universal NAME: escitalopram BRAND NAME: Lexapro DRUG Training AND MECHANISM: Escitalopram is an mouth drug that is used for treating major depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Chemically, escitalopram resembles citalopram (Celexa). Both are in the class of medicine called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class that also includes fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). SSRIs work by affecting neurotransmitters while in the brain, the chemical messengers that nervous feelings use to communicate with one another. Neurotransmitters are made and released by means of nerves and then travel to additional nearby nerves where these people attach to receptors on the nerves. Quite a few neurotransmitters that are released never bind to receptors and are taken up by the nerves that produced them. This is referred to as “reuptake.In . Many experts believe that the imbalance of neurotransmitters will be the cause of depression. Escitalopram prevents the reuptake of one neurotransmitter, serotonin, simply by nerves, an action which leads to more serotonin in the mind to attach to receptors. The FDA approved escitalopram in August 2002.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes GENERIC AVAILABLE: Absolutely no PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 5, 10, and 20 mg. Option: 1 mg/ml STORAGE: Escitalopram should be stashed at room temperature, 15-30 C (59-86 F) PRESCRIBED FOR: Escitalopram qualifies for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Drugs in the SSRI class also have been learned in persons with neurotic compulsive disorders and anxiety attacks, but escitalopram is not approved for this purpose. DOSING: The usual starting dose involving escitalopram is 10 mg once daily in the morning or nighttime. The dose may be increased to 20 mg once daily after 1 week. Benefit might not be seen until treatment may be given for up to 4 weeks. An every day dose of 20 milligrams may not be anymore effective compared to 10 mg daily to treat depression. Escitalopram can be taken together with or without food. Pill INTERACTIONS: All SSRIs, including escitalopram, really should not be combined with drugs in the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor class of antidepressants for example isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), selegiline (Eldepryl) and procarbazine (Matulane). Such combinations may lead to confusion, high blood pressure, high fevers, tremor or even muscle rigidity, and improved activity. At least 14 days need to elapse after discontinuing escitalopram before starting a good MAO inhibitor. Conversely, at least 14 days should elapse after discontinuing a good MAO inhibitor before starting escitalopram. Tryptophan can cause headaches, nausea, sweating, and dizziness when taken with virtually any SSRI. Use of selective serotonin inhibitors could raise the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding around patients taking aspirin, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory prescription drugs, and other drugs that cause bleeding. PREGNANCY: The safety of escitalopram while being pregnant and breastfeeding has not been founded. Therefore, escitalopram should not be used while pregnant unless, in the opinion from the physician, the expected added benefits to the patient outweigh mysterious hazards to the fetus.